Author's Preface, 



O more enchanting work, perhaps, falls to the 

 lot of the shepherd than that of the fitting of his 

 show flock for battle in the ring. A well-fitted 

 show-flock is the pride of the shepherd, the joy 

 of the flockmaster, and one of the prettiest and 

 most valuable object lessons that can be pre- 

 sented to lovers of rural life. Whilst it is unde- 

 niably true that we have many really clever fitters among us, 

 it is no less true that the proportion of American born ones 

 is lamentably small. The reasons that may be offered in 

 defense of such state of things are legion; among the most 

 prominent being: The jealous way in which shepherds 

 guard their "secrets," so-called, and the half-hearted way 

 in which the majority of our most popular works on sheep- 

 husbandry treat on this most important branch in the man- 

 agement of stud flocks. 



This volume is not intended as a brilliant literary pro- 

 duction, but as a plain, practical instructor to the novice 

 who aspires to become proficient in the art of fitting sheep 

 for the show-ring, market, etc. 



What I have gleaned from many years of practical ex- 

 perience in the fitting and handling of show-flocks, in 

 the United States, Canada, and England, on what I believe 

 to be the most modern and approved principles, will be 

 herein chronicled in as clear and terse a manner as the 

 author's literary abilities will allow. That many of our 

 fraternity will find this volume of value, and help to them 

 is the sincere wish of 



SHEPHERD BOY. 



102495 



